Minnesota Vikings star wide receiver Justin Jefferson let some frustrations out after the Week 16 loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday. Jefferson (and he wasn't alone) wasn't pleased with the energy in the building at the start of the game, and he also criticized the play calling in the red zone.
Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer tried to defuse the situation on Monday:
#Vikings Zimmer on Jefferson comments "I addressed the energy level pregame .. We just didn’t start well but we came back and the energy level got up .. Justin is a great kid I’m sure he’s just frustrated by not scoring TDs in the red zone .. I don't worry too much about Justin"
— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) December 27, 2021
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This is the right response to Jefferson's comments. It was only understandable for the Vikings star to be frustrated after such an important loss, and Zimmer isn't going to make things worse by ripping his player in public. There was surely a conversation behind closed doors about the matter.
Minnesota did start off slow, falling behind 13-3 at halftime before the offense picked things up in the second half. Both the Vikings and Rams went 2-of-5 in the red zone on touchdown conversions, with both teams also making all three field goal attempts. The ultimate difference in the 30-23 game was a punt return touchdown for Los Angeles.
This was definitely a frustrating loss for Minnesota. The Vikings picked off Matthew Stafford three times but still couldn't secure a victory, which dealt a blow to their playoff hopes. They're now 7-8 on the season, placing them in ninth in the NFC. The San Francisco 49ers and Philadelphia Eagles currently hold the final playoff spots at 8-7, with the New Orleans Saints sitting at 7-7 heading into Monday Night Football against the Miami Dolphins.
Jefferson and the Vikings will look to save their season with a big upset win over the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field in Week 17. You can bet that the star wide receiver will bring it all game. Will his teammates follow suit?
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